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MBA in Operations at Cochin University of Science and Technology
Ernakulam, Kerala
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About the Specialization
What is Operations at Cochin University of Science and Technology Ernakulam?
This Operations Management program at Cochin University of Science and Technology focuses on optimizing business processes, supply chains, and resource utilization to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. It addresses critical aspects of managing production and service delivery in the dynamic Indian industrial landscape, preparing students for impactful roles in manufacturing and service sectors. The program emphasizes analytical and strategic problem-solving.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for engineering graduates seeking to enter managerial roles in manufacturing or service operations, and working professionals aiming to upskill in supply chain or quality management. It also suits individuals with an aptitude for analytical thinking and process optimization, looking to transition into the fast-growing logistics and operations sectors in India.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect promising career paths as Supply Chain Managers, Operations Consultants, Quality Managers, or Project Managers in Indian and global companies. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-7 LPA, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The program aligns with certifications like CSCP, PMP, and Six Sigma, fostering strong growth trajectories in various industries.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Quantitative and Analytical Tools- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to thoroughly understand Quantitative Techniques, Operations Research, and Business Data Analytics Lab. Practice problems rigorously using Excel and basic programming (R/Python) to build a strong analytical foundation crucial for operations roles.
Tools & Resources
Textbooks on QT, OR, and Stats, Online tutorials for Excel/R/Python, Practice problem sets
Career Connection
Strong analytical skills are fundamental for data-driven decision-making in operations, leading to roles in process improvement and supply chain analysis.
Build a Foundational Understanding of OM Core- (Semester 2)
Focus intensely on the core Operations Management course in Semester 2. Grasp concepts like process design, capacity planning, inventory, and quality management. Seek clarity from faculty and engage in case study discussions.
Tools & Resources
Core Operations Management textbook, Harvard Business Review case studies, Class discussions
Career Connection
A solid grasp of OM fundamentals is essential for all specialization electives and provides the basic language for operations roles.
Participate in Early Industry Exposure- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in any industrial visits, workshops, or guest lectures organized by SMS CUSAT during the first year. Network with visiting professionals to understand real-world applications of management concepts.
Tools & Resources
Industry visit reports, Networking events, LinkedIn
Career Connection
Early exposure helps contextualize classroom learning, clarifies career interests, and opens doors for future internships and mentorship.
Intermediate Stage
Deep Dive into Operations Electives- (Semester 3-4)
Critically analyze and choose Operations electives based on your career interests. Dedicate extra study time to understand specialized areas like Supply Chain Management, TQM, and Project Management, relating them to current industry trends in India.
Tools & Resources
Specialized textbooks, Industry reports (e.g., NASSCOM, Deloitte), Online courses (Coursera, edX)
Career Connection
In-depth knowledge of electives makes you a specialist, enhancing your profile for roles in specific operations domains like logistics or quality assurance.
Undertake Impactful Summer Internship- (Between Semester 2 and 3)
Choose a summer internship in an operations-focused company or department. Actively seek to solve a real business problem, document your contributions, and seek mentorship to gain practical experience and network.
Tools & Resources
Company-specific project tools, Mentor guidance, Internship report guidelines
Career Connection
A strong internship project provides practical experience, a resume highlight, and often leads to pre-placement offers or valuable industry contacts.
Engage in Operations-focused Competitions- (Semester 3-4)
Participate in national-level case study competitions, supply chain challenges, or operations simulation games. These build problem-solving skills, teamwork, and expose you to industry-relevant scenarios beyond academics.
Tools & Resources
Case study platforms (e.g., InsideIIM), Online simulation games, Team collaboration tools
Career Connection
Winning or even participating in such competitions demonstrates initiative, practical application of knowledge, and can enhance your placement prospects.
Advanced Stage
Conduct an Industry-Relevant Final Project- (Semester 4)
Select a final project topic that addresses a current challenge in the operations domain in India. Work closely with an industry mentor if possible, focusing on data-driven solutions and measurable impact.
Tools & Resources
Research papers, Industry data, Statistical software (SPSS, R)
Career Connection
A well-executed project showcases your ability to apply knowledge, solve complex problems, and can serve as a portfolio piece for job interviews, especially in consulting or analytics roles.
Master Interview and Placement Preparation- (Semester 4)
Start preparing for placements early by refining your resume, practicing behavioral and technical interview questions, and participating in mock interviews. Focus on articulating your operations expertise and project experiences clearly.
Tools & Resources
Career services workshops, Mock interview platforms, Company-specific interview guides
Career Connection
Thorough preparation ensures you can effectively communicate your skills and secure desirable placements in top operations roles.
Network Strategically for Career Advancement- (Throughout Program, especially Semester 4)
Build and maintain a professional network through alumni connections, LinkedIn, and industry events. Seek advice from senior professionals in operations management and explore diverse career paths and growth opportunities.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Alumni portals, Industry conferences/webinars
Career Connection
Networking is crucial for uncovering hidden job opportunities, gaining insights into industry trends, and fostering long-term career growth in India''''s competitive market.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s Degree in any subject with 50% marks in aggregate from any University recognized by UGC. A valid C-MAT (AICTE) / K-MAT (Kerala) / CAT (IIMs) score is essential (as per 2024 admission guidelines).
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 103 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40%, External: 60%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23MBAT101 | Management Concepts and Organizational Behaviour | Core | 4 | Management Process and Functions, Foundations of Organizational Behaviour, Personality, Perception and Attitudes, Motivation and Leadership Theories, Group Dynamics and Team Building, Conflict Management and Change Management |
| 23MBAT102 | Managerial Economics | Core | 4 | Nature and Scope of Managerial Economics, Demand and Supply Analysis, Production and Cost Analysis, Market Structures and Pricing Strategies, Macroeconomic Indicators and Business Cycles, National Income and Fiscal Policy |
| 23MBAT103 | Quantitative Techniques for Management | Core | 4 | Probability and Probability Distributions, Sampling and Hypothesis Testing, Correlation, Regression and Time Series, Decision Theory and Game Theory, Linear Programming and Transportation Problems, Assignment Problems and Queuing Theory |
| 23MBAT104 | Accounting for Management | Core | 4 | Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, Preparation of Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis and Ratios, Cost Concepts and Cost Sheet, Budgetary Control and Variance Analysis, Marginal Costing and Break-Even Analysis |
| 23MBAT105 | Business Communication | Core | 3 | Communication Process and Barriers, Oral Communication Skills, Written Communication (Reports, Memos), Non-verbal Communication, Presentation Skills and Public Speaking, Business Etiquette and Cross-cultural Communication |
| 23MBAT106 | Business Environment and Ethics | Core | 3 | Economic and Political Environment, Socio-Cultural and Technological Environment, Global Business Environment, Business Ethics and Values, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Corporate Governance |
| 23MBAT107 | Information Systems for Management | Core | 3 | Fundamentals of Information Systems, Data Management and Database Systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), E-Business and E-Commerce, Information Security and Cyber Laws, IT Strategy and Digital Transformation |
| 23MBAP108 | Business Data Analytics Lab | Lab | 3 | Introduction to Data Analytics Tools (Excel), Descriptive Statistics using Software, Data Visualization Techniques, Inferential Statistics Application, Basic Data Cleaning and Preparation, Hands-on with R/Python for basic analysis |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23MBAT201 | Human Resource Management | Core | 4 | HRM Functions and Strategic HRM, Human Resource Planning and Job Analysis, Recruitment, Selection and Induction, Training and Development, Performance Management and Compensation, Industrial Relations and Employee Welfare |
| 23MBAT202 | Marketing Management | Core | 4 | Marketing Concepts and Philosophies, Market Segmentation, Targeting, Positioning, Product and Brand Management, Pricing Strategies and Decisions, Promotion Mix and Marketing Communication, Channels of Distribution and Services Marketing |
| 23MBAT203 | Financial Management | Core | 4 | Goals of Financial Management, Capital Budgeting Decisions, Cost of Capital and Capital Structure, Working Capital Management, Leverages and Dividend Policy, Sources of Long-Term and Short-Term Finance |
| 23MBAT204 | Operations Management | Core | 4 | Introduction to Operations Management, Process Design and Capacity Planning, Facility Location and Layout, Production Planning and Control, Inventory Management Techniques, Quality Management and Control |
| 23MBAT205 | Research Methodology for Management | Core | 3 | Research Process and Problem Formulation, Research Design and Types, Sampling Design and Data Collection Methods, Measurement and Scaling Techniques, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Report Writing and Ethical Issues in Research |
| 23MBAT206 | Legal Aspects of Business | Core | 3 | Indian Contract Act 1872, Sale of Goods Act 1930, Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, Companies Act 2013, Consumer Protection Act 2019, Intellectual Property Rights and Cyber Laws |
| 23MBAT207 | Entrepreneurship Development | Core | 3 | Concept of Entrepreneurship, New Venture Creation Process, Business Plan Development, Sources of Funding for Startups, Government Policies for Entrepreneurs, Social Entrepreneurship and Family Business |
| 23MBAP208 | Digital Business Analytics Lab | Lab | 3 | Advanced Excel for Business Analytics, Introduction to R/Python for Data Analysis, Predictive Analytics Concepts, Data Modeling and Simulation, Visualizing Business Data, Case Studies in Digital Analytics |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23MBAT301 | Strategic Management | Core | 4 | Strategic Management Process, Environmental Analysis and Industry Analysis, Internal Analysis and Core Competencies, Strategy Formulation (Corporate, Business, Functional), Strategy Implementation and Control, Strategic Leadership and Ethics |
| 23MBAT302 | Operations Research | Core | 4 | Introduction to Operations Research Models, Linear Programming (Graphical, Simplex), Transportation and Assignment Problems, Network Analysis (PERT/CPM), Queuing Theory and Decision Theory, Simulation and Game Theory |
| 23MBAE310 | Supply Chain Management | Elective | 3 | Supply Chain Fundamentals and Drivers, Logistics Management and Transportation, Inventory Management in SCM, Sourcing and Procurement, Supply Chain Network Design, Global Supply Chains and Risk Management |
| 23MBAE311 | Total Quality Management | Elective | 3 | TQM Principles and Philosophies, Quality Gurus and their Contributions, Quality Tools and Techniques (SPC, FMEA), Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing, ISO Standards and Quality Audits, Process Improvement and Continuous Quality Improvement |
| 23MBAE312 | Services Operations Management | Elective | 3 | Characteristics of Services, Service Design and Development, Service Quality Management (SERVQUAL), Capacity and Demand Management in Services, Waiting Line Models and Management, Service Process Improvement |
| 23MBAE313 | Project Management | Elective | 3 | Project Life Cycle and Project Organization, Project Planning and Scheduling (Gantt, PERT/CPM), Project Resource Allocation and Cost Estimation, Project Risk Management, Project Monitoring and Control, Project Closure and Project Management Software |
| 23MBAE314 | Logistics Management | Elective | 3 | Scope and Importance of Logistics, Transportation Systems and Modes, Warehousing and Inventory Control, Materials Handling and Packaging, Order Processing and Customer Service, Reverse Logistics and Green Logistics |
| 23MBAV308 | Summer Internship Viva | Viva | 2 | Internship Report Presentation, Learning Outcomes from Internship, Industry Exposure and Application of Concepts, Problem-solving during Internship, Career Goals Alignment, Viva Voce Examination |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23MBAT401 | International Business | Core | 4 | Global Business Environment, Theories of International Trade and Investment, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), International Financial Management, Global Marketing Strategies, Cross-cultural Management |
| 23MBAE410 | Advanced Production Planning and Control | Elective | 3 | Aggregate Production Planning, Master Production Scheduling (MPS), Material Requirements Planning (MRP), Just-in-Time (JIT) and Lean Production, Capacity Requirements Planning (CRP), Shop Floor Control and Scheduling |
| 23MBAE411 | Technology and Innovation Management | Elective | 3 | Innovation Process and Types of Innovation, Technology Forecasting and Strategy, Research and Development (R&D) Management, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Technology Transfer and Commercialization, Disruptive Technologies and Digital Innovation |
| 23MBAE412 | Global Sourcing and Procurement | Elective | 3 | Strategic Sourcing Process, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), Global Procurement Strategies, E-Procurement and Reverse Auctions, Contract Management and Negotiation, Risk Management in Global Sourcing |
| 23MBAE413 | World Class Manufacturing | Elective | 3 | Concepts of World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Lean Manufacturing Principles and Tools, Six Sigma Methodology, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Just-in-Time (JIT) Production System, Automation, Robotics, and Industry 4.0 in WCM |
| 23MBAE414 | Business Analytics for Operations | Elective | 3 | Role of Analytics in Operations Management, Predictive Analytics for Demand Forecasting, Simulation in Operations Decisions, Optimization Models for Logistics and Production, Supply Chain Analytics and Risk Assessment, Quality Control Analytics and Process Mining |
| 23MBAPR407 | Project & Viva | Project | 5 | Problem Identification and Literature Review, Research Design and Methodology, Data Collection and Analysis, Findings, Discussion, and Conclusion, Report Writing and Presentation, Viva Voce Examination |
